Plant-based dairy replacement foods and drinks are not recommended for teenagers due to their nutritional composition, and teenage girls should take folic acid supplements, according to new dietary advice from the food safety watchdog.<\/p>\n
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI)<\/a> on Monday published the first scientific report outlining food-based dietary guideline recommendations for adolescents aged between 9 and 18 living in Ireland.<\/p>\n The report was commissioned by the Department of Health<\/a> in recognition of the specific nutritional requirements during puberty, which is believed to be greater than during any other period in life due to intense growth and development.<\/p>\n It also consider sustainability and climate change<\/a> when making the recommendations.<\/p>\n According to the report, teenagers have high energy requirements but that this varies quite significantly when considering age, sex, body size and physical activity level.<\/p>\n Carbohydrates, which includes cereals and breads, potatoes, pasta, and rice, are the most important food group for fuelling physical activity, with average requirements ranging from 6 to 10 servings and requirements reaching up to 13 servings for some adolescents.<\/p>\n Teenagers should have four servings from the milk, cheese and yoghurt category per day are if they are sedentary to lightly active, but this should increase to five servings per day for moderately to very active adolescents. Low-fat or reduced-fat options should be chosen.<\/p>\n In general, the FSAI said plant-based dairy replacement foods and drinks are not recommended due to their nutritional composition and the need for the addition of calcium and other micronutrients. <\/p>\n